Early Years and Childcare Courses

Get the skills and qualifications you need for a career working with children
Do you dream of starting a career in childcare?

Working with children and contributing to their early development can be immensely rewarding, but roles are demanding too and carry a lot of responsibility. Do you have a good personality fit for working with children? Are you patient and calm? Are you organised and professional? Are you nurturing and caring? If yes, a career in childcare and education could be for you.

There are plenty of job opportunities available, from roles in education to children’s services. Roles are varied; from supporting pupils in a school, pre-school or nursery environment, to developing action plans to promote a child’s welfare.

Our career-focused courses and programmes

Study Programmes

This is the first step for school leavers, aged 16-19. You will work towards a qualification whilst building on employability skills, receive personal and professional development and achieve the level of Maths and English.

 

Level 1 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Caring for Children

Career options:

  • Teaching Assistant
  • Nursery Worker
  • Early Years Teacher
  • Nursery Manager

Course locations:

  • Salford
  • Bury
  • Doncaster
  • Leeds
  • Lowestoft
  • Norwich

Read full qualification details
PDF, file size 1.5mb
 

In this course, you’ll gain the basic knowledge and the skills needed to care for children and will learn about their growth, learning and development. There are also units to help with self-development.

This qualification does not lead directly to employment but will provide you with the knowledge to make an informed choice as to whether a career in caring for children or learning at a higher level in a related field, is right for you.

What you will learn:

  • Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people
  • Science, technology, craft and music for young children
  • Practical health and safety when with young children
  • Understanding play for early learning
  • Human growth and development
  • Respecting and valuing children

Level 2 Certificate in Introducing Caring for Children and Young People

Career options:

  • Teaching Assistant
  • Nursery Worker
  • Early Years Teacher
  • Nursery Manager

Course locations:

  • Salford
  • Doncaster
  • Leeds
  • Lowestoft
  • Norwich

Read full qualification details
PDF, file size 1.2mb
 

In this course you’ll gain good knowledge and skills needed to care for children and young people and will learn about their growth, learning and development.

This qualification does not lead directly to employment but will provide you with the knowledge to make an informed choice as to whether a career in caring for children, or learning at a higher level in a related field, is right for you.

What you will learn:

  • Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people
  • Importance of play for early learning
  • Use food and nutrition information to plan a healthy diet
  • Introductory awareness of sensory loss
  • The value of play to young children
  • Young children's development
  • Craft activities with young children
  • Respecting and valuing children
  • Sharing learning experiences with children
  • Children's play and leisure activities in the community

Pre-apprenticeship

Our Childcare Pre-apprenticeships are a great way for 16-24 year olds to develop first-hand experience of working with children and young people. You’ll also get essential work preparation training and work on your maths and English if required.

 

Early Years and Childcare Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are simply jobs with training. You typically receive training to support your career 1 day a week. You get paid, gain a qualification as well as valuable skills and experience. Anyone between the ages of 16-65 can apply to become an apprentice.

 

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner

Duration:
12 months

Work in:

  • Assistant childminder
  • Early years practitioner
  • Nanny and early years worker
  • Nursery assistant
  • Nursery nurse
  • Nursery practitioner

Good to know:

  • Apprenticeship Standard
  • DBS check required.

Full specification:
Early Years Practitioner, Apprenticeship Standard

Level 3 Teaching Assistant

Duration:
18 months

Work in:

  • Primary schools
  • Secondary schools
  • Specialist schools

Good to know:

  • Apprenticeship Standard

Full specification:
Teaching Assistant, Apprenticeship Standard

As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll support the class teacher to enhance pupils’ learning. You’ll support pupils across the curriculum to understand the work that they’ve been set and help them stay on track.

Your class will look to you as a role model, so it’s important that you promote and show positive values and behaviours. You’ll be a key person in helping develop pupils’ self-belief and self-esteem. You’ll help to create the socially-inclusive and nurturing environment that pupils can thrive in.

This Apprenticeship Standard qualification has been designed by 30 schools and academies from all across the UK.

Level 3 Early Years Educator

Duration:
18 months

Work in:

  • Assistant childminder
  • Early years practitioner
  • Nanny and early years worker
  • Nursery assistant
  • Nursery nurse
  • Nursery practitioner

Good to know:

  • Apprenticeship Standard
  • DBS check required.

Full specification:
Early Years Educator, Apprenticeship Standard

Speak to one of our expert advisors to help you with your options
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